Folding square.



. U fl I x I M I M M V0 E2 No. 893,877. I PATENTED JULY 21, 1908.

W. B. SEYMOUR. FOLDING SQUARE.

APPLICATION PILED'8I1PT.24, 1907.

2 sums-Bum 1.

2122 5 1!, l l 1 l 1* 1 I 1- I ITMW .WJTNESSES: INVENTOR F v (lb/[hm I Se mour.

PATENTED JULY 21, 1908.

-W. B. SEYMOUR. FOLDING SQUARE. APPL-IGATIOH FILED SEPT. 24, 1901' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES .[NVENTOR if/[$0M (Seymour spring being shown by dotted lines.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM B. SEYMOUR, OF KENNEBEO, SOUTH DAKOTA.

FOLDING SQUARE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 21, 1908.

Application filed September 24, 1907. Serial N 0. 394,363.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. SEYMOUR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kennebec, in the county of Lyman, State of South Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Squares and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in folding squares and it has more particular reference to a square comprising pivotally connected steel sections, I

one of which is formed with a spring designed to engage the other section and to positively lock the same in its extended position and to frictionally lock the same in its folded position.

In connection with a square of the above general type the invention aims as a primary object to provide a novel construction, combin ation and arrangement of parts.

The invention aims as a further object to provide a square which shall be simple in its structural details, inexpensive to manufacture and practical and eflicient in use.

The details of construction will appear in the course of the following description in which reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, like characters ofreference designating similar parts, throughout the several views, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the square with the members in their folded positions, the Fig. 2 1s a view thereof with the members in their extended positions. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view showing the members in their folded relation. Figs. 4 and 5 are detailed perspective views of the inner end portions of the members of the square.

In the accompanying drawings, the numeral 10 designates one member of the square and the numeral 11 designates the the other member which is foldable with relation thereto. The member 10 is formed with a diagonal end 12 beyond which is a ta pered projection 13. Said member also has an car 14 having a curved face and formed with an aperture 15, the ear 14 being formed at the junction of the edge 12 with the inner edge of the member 10 and being of reduced thickness. The member 11 likewise has an inclined end face 16 which is recessed as at 17 to receive the projection 13. At the junction of the inclined face 16 and the inner face ofthe member 11, spaced upper and lower ears 18 are provided which have apertures 19, the car 14 fitting between the cars 18 and being held in pivotal relation thereto by a pin 20. The member 10 is formed at one side thereof with a slit 23 extending for some length from I the ear 14 so that a leaf spring 24, having a concavely curved end 25, is afforded, the spring 24 being of the same thickness as the body of the member 10.

In Fig. 1, the members are shown in their folded position, the member 11 being folded against the member 10 and under the spring 24 which has a downward action so as to hold the member 11 frictionally against displacement. I/Vhen the member 11 is swung to its extended position, the spring 24 moves downwardly under its own resiliency and bears against the inner face of the member 11 to positively hold the same against being accidentally closed. When it is desired to close the member, the spring 24 is lifted manually and said member is swung on its pivot until it abuts the inner face of the slit 23. It will be understood that the inclined edge portion 12 serves as a stop to limit the pivotal movement of the member 11 when the same is being swung to its extended position.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that simple and efficient means are provided for accomplishing the objects of the invention, but while the elements herein shown and described are well adapted to serve the functions set forth, it is obvious that various minor changes may be made in the proportions, shape and arrangement of the several parts, without departing from the I spirit and scope of the invention, as defined I in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: r A square of the type set forth, comprising members having inclined end faces and pivoted. to one another adjacent said end faces for movement t 0 relative folded or extended In testimony whereof, I affix my signapositions, one of said members being formed ture, in presence of two Witnesses.

at one side thereof with a longitudinal slit extending from a point adjacent its pivot and WILLIAM SEYMOUR 5 affording at one side of said member a leaf Witnesses:

spring acting against movement beyond the A. W. W. DEVERS, plane of said last named member. 1

F. B. CARTER. 

